Faculty Highlight

Assistant Professor Jaal B. Ghandhi came to Mechanical Engineering in
January 1995 after receiving his PhD from Princeton University. He
earned his BS ('86) and MS ('88) degrees in mechanical engineering
from UW-Madison.

Ghandhi teaches undergraduate courses in fluid mechanics and heat
transfer and graduate courses in combustion (ME 569 and ME 769) and
advanced instrumentation. He is an active member of the Engine
Research Center and his primary research interests are focused on
experimental investigations of chemically reacting systems. Currently
he is involved in fundamental studies of mixing, and the mixedness of
reactants on combustion performance. Both of these effects are
significant for engines using direct fuel injection. He carries out
these fundamental studies in idealized geometries with
state-of-the-art laser diagnostics for detailed measurements.

Additionally, Ghandhi complements these investigations with
applied engine experiments of direct-injection through his
involvement with the Wisconsin Small Engine Consortium. Engine tests
are done to determine the requirements for two-stroke engines to
improve the performance of these engines while reducing polluting
hydrocarbon emissions. Other projects involve studies of the gas flow
in two-stroke engines and research on lubrication and oil consumption
in heavy duty diesel engines.

A Milwaukee native, Prof. Ghandhi has a long legacy with the the ME
Department; both his father (B.K. Ghandhi PhD '59) and brother
(J.B. Ghandhi BS '81, PhD '91) are alumni of the department. In his
spare time, Ghandhi and his wife Kristin enjoy hiking, biking, and
kayaking, and he practices the art of zymurgy (beer-making).